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One of those first-time offerings will be the Junior Agricultural Mechanics Project Show, which will be found -- appropriately enough -- in the new Equestrian Multipurpose Building on the east end of the complex.

The competition invites youths involved in 4-H and FFA to restore and refurbish agricultural machinery such as tractors, trailers, livestock equipment and horse-drawn transports and implements, like carriages and old plows.

"This show is all about youth. So this competition offers another way to incorporate kids who might not have the capacity or means to bring livestock here," said Barnes, who noted that such events are rapidly becoming popular at similar shows nationwide.

Despite being a first-time offering, the event has attracted 350 entries. And, should you decide to drop by to take a look, be prepared for a thorough tour.

"One of the things that is a bit different about this event is that the contestants don't know who the judges are," explained Shanna Weaver, the Stock Show publicity manager.

"So, since anyone who walks through could be the judge, the kids are happy to tell anyone who will listen all they want to know about their entry."

'More pedestrian friendly'

While the content of the show has not changed much, the grounds and layout of the event have been enhanced.

"We gained a little over 3 acres behind the cattle barns, which allows us to set up additional cattle tie-outs. So for the first time in our history, we will have the same number of tie-outs that we have cattle ties in the barns," Barnes said.

"And there will be no vehicle parking inside the fence. So it will be more pedestrian friendly."

All this attention to how and where the cattle and other livestock are presented is based on a fact about this event that grew out of Fort Worth's 19th-century Cowtown past: Despite the Stock Show's 21st-century urban setting, cattle still matter more than cotton candy.

"They come here for the livestock. It's not the rodeo, it's not the midway, it's not the shopping," Barnes said.

"Every time we survey, livestock is the No. 1 reason. So we need to make sure we are giving them the best opportunity to see all that."

'Two front doors'

Changes have also been made to make sure that people have a place to park and gain easy access when they come to stare at the steers.

A new entrance has been developed on the Montgomery Street side of the grounds, and entrances with full-service ticket offices are now found on Harley Avenue along the south side of the complex.

"This is no longer our back door," said Barnes, pointing to an entrance that formerly sold only general admission tickets. "We now have two front doors."

Also along that south end is a large section of new parking that is both spacious and nicely appointed with walkways lined with benches and street lamps.

"It's not just a big vast sea of concrete, which would have been a lot less expensive. There are a lot of nice amenities," said Barnes, waving toward the color-coded parking lots that will be served by trolleys ferrying parkers to the entrances. "It's about the overall experience of the Stock Show -- making it a destination and making people feel like they have arrived."